When it comes to the Pitch Perfect franchise, there are somethings that you expect – lots of music, comedy, and well ridiculous drama. And it being that way is perfection. It’s something that we can hold on to. It’s something that, in this writers opinion, can make you insanely happy and get you smiling.
And Bumper in Berlin definitely has us smiling.
While we’re used to the Barton Bellas and hey – love them – it is a nice change to focus on someone who is not a main character in the original movies. Bumper was someone that you can’t forget from the original movies and seeing him like this – still focused on acapella music and loved the college experience so much that he remained there working as a security guard.
One of the best things about Bumper was that he was a dreamer. Granted, he has always been annoying and self centered, and that was an annoyance. However, all of that being said he is the perfect person to focus on.
When he gets a call from Flula Berg, who plays into his ego and tells him that he’s gone viral in Germany, for Bumper this is like a dream come true. He’s worked his whole life to be something more than he is. He’s never given up on his dreams.
And this is when Adam Devine shines as an actor. The actor gives no fucks about what people could say and puts himself whole heartedly into the role, committing whole heartedly to the role. He excels at comedy, but also somehow, even in the ridiculousness, he manages to make his characters relatable. Bumper does things that most of us would never do – but Devine manages to make it feel as though even the most ridiculous things are relatable.
Moving to Berlin, we’re reunited with Flula, but also are introduced to Sarah Hyland’s character, Heidi. Heidi is Flula’s assistant and will also be Bumper’s assistant. While we don’t have a lot of Heidi in this episode, we have enough to know that we are going to love her.
Heidi is an army brat who just never left Berlin. She loves it there, but I also think she just likes mixing in and not being seen. She’s content being behind the scenes, because she doesn’t have the confidence in herself. In so many ways, she’s like Bumper.
It’s not long before we find out that Flula was lying about Bumper. While Bumper is viral, he’s viral because of falling over and his penis falling out. It’s a hard thing for Bumper to take – his dreams being somewhat dashed. When Bumper tries to make a choice of staying or leaving, he goes to talk to Heidi.
We find out that Heidi is this fabulous singer who is very shy. When she is performing, she’s performing with her back to the audience. She doesn’t want to face anyone. She doesn’t want to be seen. When she sees Bumper, she acts as though she’s forgotten the words and rushes off the stage.
Bumper and Heidi have a connection that is evident and sweet. It’s kind. It’s empowering for both of them. She talks him into staying and convinces him that Flula has the best of intentions and a good heart.
So Bumper does just that – stays. He shows up at his booked gig the next day, and realizes that he hadn’t prepared anything. He was just going to do his mashup that Flula had said went viral, but before he can, Flula’s ex, Gisela, is announced as the next performer and don’t you know she’s doing the mashup.
While Bumper in Berlin is absolutely ridiculous at this point (and we’re sure it will be throughout), it’s hilarious and fun. It’s definitely not Pitch Perfect, but maybe a departure from that is what we need right now.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Flula explaining why he has been blackballed in Germany was a shock. Breaking the acapella rules… the shock.
- The opening sequence – that was hilarious
- Bumper as a security guard at the school, it made sense.
- I am gonna need more singing
- Flula’s sister being a big DJ… I didn’t see that coming.
Bumper in Berlin is streaming now on Peacock.
